Summary: This sermon was preached on our Victory Sunday to receive our pledges for our new building.

Today is Victory Sunday in our New Life Campaign. Victory not in the sense that the battle is over, but now it’s time to stop talking about what we’re going to do and actually start to do it. Our First Fruit Offering is proof of our commitment to go forward and receive what the Lord has for us. Whenever we have a vision for something in our lives, there is the initial joy which surrounds it, and then the nervousness which may grip us as the time approaches for it to happen. It may be the start of a new job, a promotion to a new grade, a return to further our education, a marriage date or a new start in life because of a change in circumstances. Facing the unknown can be a real challenge for us all.

We saw in the past how God chose Moses, to lead a people out of slavery in Egypt to a wonderful land God wanted to give them. At first, all of the people were excited about leaving slavery and reaching their full potential. But then came the reality that there would be some work involved. That killed the spirit that many of them had, even to the point of saying, "let’s choose a new leader who will take us back to Egypt."

It was then that a young man by the name of Joshua boldly spoke up to the people. Now Joshua had been one of the 12 spies who had actually seen the land that God wanted to give His people. Joshua said to the entire Israelite assembly, "The land we passed through and explored is exceedingly good. If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will swallow them up. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." ( Numbers 14:7-9)

When Joshua spoke those words, he planted a seed in his own heart and in the lives of some of the people. He did not know that God would use him to bring those words in reality. We may often say what can do, but we do not truly believe that God can use us to do it. Each believer is enrolled in the army of God. Each believer is called to be a leader of others to victory.

A leader does not mean you’re a pastor, or elder, or deacon, or bishop or any other title. A leader is someone who has influence on others to cause them to act a certain way. It’s possible for you to be leading others, without you ever knowing about it. For instance, how many of you have tried to imitate someone else that you admired without ever telling them that you were doing so. It may be the way they talk, play sports, act, dance, dress, sing , parent, or a thousand other things. As Christians, as long as we’re alive we should be using our leadership to march others toward victory in a life found only in Christ Jesus. The fact that we are 24/7 believers 365 days a year can make our job very challenging.

Forty years after Joshua made his statement about what God could do, his leader died. God told him Moses my servant is dead. For forty years Joshua had listened and learned from Moses. For forty years there was somebody he could count on. For forty years he had felt safe and comfortable knowing that Moses was there to hear from God. One thing which is certain in the army of God, is that change is going to take place before victory becomes reality.

There are times when we want everything to stay the same. Even if God may have something better for us, we can become very content with what we already know. But as soldiers, in God’s army, God is constantly issuing promotions. Some of you privates, need to step up and become sergeants, you sergeants need to become lieutenants, lieutenants need to become captain and so forth. As you move ahead, you cannot always do things the same way you once did. Some of you have grown tremendously in your knowledge of Scripture. Why do you think God had you grow. Yes for your own benefit, but also that you may assume more responsibility in the kingdom of God.

Our Victory Sunday today is an indication that God is doing a change in the Life of Glenville New Life Community Church. The change is similar to the death of Moses. In the next few years, we will be under a different kind of leadership because that’s what it will take to get us to the place God has prepared for us. It does not mean we will stop loving and caring for each other or that our purpose as a church will change. It does mean the Lord will be raising up different ones of you to embark on different kinds of ministries.